Local artists to exhibit work

Local artists Brehd Patchley and Bjorn Knoxley will be headlining a show at the Knoxville Gallery of Art later next month. The show will feature many fine works created by these talented native Knoxvillian artists. Beautiful art transpires from the melee that ensues when Brehd’s digital photography meets Bjorn’s watercolor filter.

Hailed to be the best local artists to hit the Knoxville scene since early last week, the show is sure to cause a stir among the Knoxville art community. Already those in the know are talking about the electricity in the air surrounding the event. “You should, like, really feel the buzz over there,” explained Agatha Buttress, a New York transplant. “It’s totally electrifying,” she added.

In an interview last year, Brehd told the Metro Pulse that “I’ve always wanted to be an artist, ever since I painted my first fingernail black all those years ago.” Although he no longer has black fingernails and tends to wear more colorful clothing, he still felt compelled to become an artist. “I aspire to one day paint a bear for that spring festival thing, or at least a catfish in Nashville” he told us.

Bjorn, on the other hand, couldn’t care less about the art world, which makes his entry into it even more bewildering. “Artists are mostly just a bunch of hippies,” he explained, “except for us of course. I wanted to try to balance out the community just a bit.” Although his rather slanted view is not shared by Brehd, he admits their entry into the artworld might encourage other non-artsy people to try their hand at it. “If we can do it, anybody can,” he said.

The art is both colorful and insightful in its portrayals of scenery from around Knoxville, according to those who have seen it. Others only have to wait in anticipation of the event. The hilight of the show will be images from their “Star” series, which were captured from the decks of the Star of Knoxville riverboat. The most compelling image, entitled “The Paddlewheel Thingy,” is expected to steal the show.

For more information, please contact the Knoxville Gallery of Art. Below are sample images from the “Star” series.